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Austin’s Second Street: Hub of woman-owned businesses

Austin’s Second Street: Hub of woman-owned businesses

Elizabeth Gibson, left, owner of Eliza Page jewelry, and Carla Hatler, owner of Laquer nail salon, are among the female business owners in the Second Street District.

Woman-owned businesses aren’t as rare as they used to be – and perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in Texas.

American Express says four of the top 10 U.S. cities where female entrepreneurs have the greatest clout – “combining growth in the number, employment and revenues of women-owned businesses” from 2007 to 2016 – are in the Lone Star State.

Austin ranks fifth, tied with Indianapolis. San Antonio, Dallas and Houston are on the list, as well.

But there are still some hurdles to overcome. In retail – the sector with the highest percentage of woman-owned businesses, according to the National Women’s Business Council – just one in five shops has a female owner.

Downtown’s Second Street District is a prime example of how Austin is bucking that trend. The tony strip of shops, restaurants and service-oriented businesses is peppered with companies built from the ground up by women from a variety of backgrounds.